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EdTech Tools
About MCS's EdTech Tools
Modesto City Schools is committed to adopting the best educational technology tools to assist teachers in the classroom and help students prepare for a 21st-century future. Each new tool goes through a rigorous vetting process that ensures:
The tool meets our legal obligations to protect student data privacy and prevent advertising to minors
The tool has valid classroom use and its use promotes meaningful technology integration
The tool integrates with our other tools (when possible) to ensure minimal management for the teacher
The tool is easy to use and has robust supports to ensure student and teacher success
Blocksi is our district's web filtering and classroom management solution! Blocksi has replaced NetRef. Blocksi will be available to all teachers starting August 1, 2023 in the MCS App Portal.
WeVideo is a web-based video editing tool that allows students and teachers to create video projects, podcasts, and animated gifs.
Quizizz is a check for understanding tool that allows for teachers to build quizzes and have students compete for the high score in a fun, gamified way.
Edpuzzle is a check for understanding tool that allows for teachers to embed questions into their favorite educational videos.
Padlet is a collaborative, web-based board creation tool that allows students to curate resources in a variety of formats, including text, images, and links,
Discussion boards can be boring. FlipGrid allows students to participate in discussion boards via video recordings and includes stickers and filters to make the discussion more engaging.
Teachers can now approve videos in YouTube for your students to be able to view.
Google Jamboard is a collaborative online whiteboard with similar share properties of a Google Doc or Google Slide. This has been turned on for all Teachers, Students, and Staff.
Canva is a web-based graphic design tool that allows for easy creation of images, infographics, flyers, and more. Canva has recently expanded into GIF and video-making.
Transitioning from Adobe Creative Cloud Express to Canva EDU and WeVideo and Quizlet to Quizizz Pro and StudyMate
TurnItIn is a world-class originality-checking tool that allows teachers and students to check for plagiarism and ensure students' work is their own. Video Playlist
Kami is a PDF annotation tool that allows students to type, highlight, draw, and more on top of existing PDF documents. Video Playlist
Nearpod is a slideshow-based presentation tool that allows teachers to integrate interactive feedback questions that allow for collection of data in real time. Beginners Guide to Nearpod
Microsoft Sway is an easy-to-use tool that quickly builds a polished presentation in the form of a website, newsletter, or slideshow.
Coming Soon Section
MCS App Portal
The MCS App Portal is a one-stop shop for access to all MCS-approved apps. Video Playlist
LockDown Browser
For teachers worried about test integrity, LockDown Browser is a special testing browser that locks students into a test to limit cheating. Video Playlist
Minecraft for Edu
Minecraft: Education Edition is an immersive game-based learning platform that drives creativity, collaboration, and problem-solving. Lessons for Minecraft Education
Additional CFU Tools
Want to see what other CFU tools teachers have access too? Check out Kahoot, Quizalize, Socrative, and more! Check out our CFU Presentation
StudyMate
Enter your terms, facts or multiple choice questions once. StudyMate then transforms them into Flash Cards, Pick A Letter, Fill in the Blank, Crosswords, and more. There are 11 self-assessments and games in all, supporting a range of learning styles and objectives. Video Tutorial
Loom
Loom is a Google Chrome extension that can be used to record a screencast, a webcam, or audio-only. Use Loom to make quick tutorial videos or say hi to your class. Loom for Education website
TinkerCAD
Tinkercad is a free, easy-to-use web app that equips the next generation of designers and engineers with the foundational skills for innovation: 3D design, electronics, and coding! Getting started with Tinkercad
SketchUp
SketchUp for Schools is the core SketchUp modeler now available in a web browser for any Primary or Secondary School signed up with G Suite for Education or Microsoft Education. Getting started with SketchUp for Schools